The medical tourism has also been hit by slowdown in the tourism industry following global meltdown. The business in the tourism sector has been down 30-40 per cent, and the effect is slowly reflected on medical tourism which entirely depends on tourism, at least, in Goa.
According to Victor Albuquerque, Chairman of Apollo Victor Hospitals decline in the tourism sector which at this stage is said to be 30-40 per cent, has affected medical tourism. He was addressing a press conference on Monday here to announce new and rationalized packages that his hospital will offer from January 1, 2009. While medical tourism sector is yet to grow in Goa, a few players in the markets such as Victor Apollo Hospitals that cater to large number of foreign clientele besides locals are feeling the pinch due to the effects in the tourism sector.
The corporate hospitals in Chennai, Bombay, Bangalore et al, cater to foreigners who specially come down for treatment warranted while traveling or seeing India, remains their secondary option but such is not the case with Goa.
Foreigners flock to Goa more for touristic purpose rather than for availing medical facilities. Also, exception to a few, medical facilities offered at most State hospitals are not on par with those offered in the metros.
-Herald, Goa Daily
